Sale coordinator Mark Scholes, Landmark Stud Stock Rockhampton said the combined pedigree and breeding credentials of the 134 horses going under the hammer is “very smart, and improving every year.”

The 2017 sale draft will include 51 ridden mares and fillies, 51 ridden geldings, three ridden stallions and 29 led prospects.

“This years catalogue is being presented by many repeat sale vendors with a good number of new vendors also selling,” Mr Scholes said.

“We have vendors from all parts of Queensland, including Dalby, Toowoomba, Quilpie, Julia Creek, Longreach, Rockhampton and Charters Towers, north to the Tablelands and as far south as Tamworth,” he said.

He said confidence is high for the sale due to the current positivity in the rural sector.

“People aren’t as tethered to the station as they have been for the past several years, and may be looking for a horse to compete and have fun with on their weekends.”

Mr Scholes said lot numbers are up on 2016, and the sale will provide a great chance to pick up a horse to suit any budget or need.

“It’s a diverse catalogue, we have horses for novices through to full-time campaigners, workhorses for mustering and many that are suitable for children.”

He said the sale catalogue is truly a showcase of campdrafting, challenge and performance horse breeding.

“We are excited about the future potential for this sale and the support shown by new and repeat vendors.”

The sale which is again being held in association with Horse of the North Challenge will include $15,000 in sale incentive bonuses including cash and trophies.

Guests attending the Horse of the North events and those who’d like to get a closer look at the horses in the catalogue are invited to view the the ridden horse workout taking place on Saturday, May 27 from 9am.

The increasing popularity of the sale came into sharp focus in 2016 when 89 horses were sold to average $7093, topping at $33,000 for a sale gross of $631,250 and an 89 percent clearance, with the top price and average setting new benchmarks for Toomba.